The Mole: Question Raised About $14 Million Recruit’s ‘Exit Clause’ Following Knights’ Disappointing Performance

It’s time to consider the burning question: does Dylan Brown have an escape clause in his lucrative 10-year contract with Newcastle?

The Knights endured a dismal performance, suffering a 20-4 defeat to the Tigers on Sunday. There was little urgency in their defence, and they fumbled possession repeatedly.

After a scoreless outing against the Bulldogs the week prior, the Knights only managed to score a single try—a desperate attempt in the dying moments of the match.

Given the attacking talent at their disposal, including Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best, this performance was far below par. The home crowd was left in stunned silence for much of the match.

If Brown caught the game on television—coming off a night where his Eels let in 50 points to the Raiders—he would have been nursing a massive headache.

The Knights have hit an alarming low point, scoring fewer points than any team has in their history after six rounds, while the Tigers are increasingly looking like legitimate finals contenders.

NEW TITLE CONTENDER EMERGES

The Canberra Raiders, who haven’t tasted premiership success since Mal Meninga’s farewell match in 1994, seem to have put together a squad that could potentially take the crown this season.

With Penrith on the back foot, the competition is wide open, and the Raiders possess a side that, when firing, ticks all the boxes.

They racked up 50 points against the Eels in sweltering conditions in Darwin on Saturday night, and they stand out as one of the few teams capable of troubling the Storm.

With forwards like Corey Horsburgh and Hudson Young leading the charge, they boast a combination of aggression and talent, while Englishman Matty Nicholson continues to impress with each match.

Halfback Jamal Fogarty may not be a world-class player, but he has a sharp football mind, an excellent kicking game, and top-notch match management.

On the flanks, they have proven try-scorers like Seb Kris, Kaeo Weekes, Matt Timoko, and Xavier Savage, while five-eighth Ethan Strange adds an electrifying presence.

STORM’S HARSH REALITY

Sunday’s game against the Warriors highlighted just how dependent the Storm are on the exceptional Jahrome Hughes.

With Hughes orchestrating play, the Storm established a commanding 36-0 lead by half-time.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

However, the tide turned significantly when Hughes was sidelined after the break due to a shoulder injury. The Warriors, who had been outclassed initially, managed to win the second half, with the match finishing at 46-14.

Storm coach Craig Bellamy will be crossing his fingers that today’s scans reveal no serious injury for Hughes.

ORIGIN COACH’S ULTIMATUM PAYS OFF

Blues coach Laurie Daley made a public statement aimed at the current Blues hooker, Reece Robson, indicating he needed to elevate his performance to secure selection in this year’s series.

Robson clearly took the message to heart, delivering his most impressive performance of the season in the victory over Souths on Saturday night, making 140 metres and contributing a try assist to bolster his hopes for Origin I.

FITZY’S MESSAGE RINGS TRUE

Craig Fitzgibbon urged his players to overcome their second-half struggles, and the Sharks delivered in Perth.

After scoring just once in their previous three second halves, Cronulla stepped it up against Manly. Leading 8-0 at the break, they scored three more tries in the second half, finishing 24-18 victors.

Considering Manly has a knack for scoring, it was crucial for the Sharks to find their try-scoring mojo; otherwise, they risked suffering three consecutive losses.

Fullback Will Kennedy was a standout, notching a remarkable solo try and having another 90-metre effort disallowed.

ROOSTERS’ UNSUNG HERO

While superstars deliver victories, it’s the unsung heroes that keep a team united.

Nat Butcher, in his 10th season as a Rooster, epitomises that role.

The 27-year-old is primarily a wide-running back-rower, but with injuries impacting the Roosters, coach Trent Robinson had no hesitation in shifting Butcher to the middle. In only his fifth game as a prop, Butcher scored a crucial try in their surprise win in Brisbane, consistently tackled fiercely, and contributed significantly to the upset.

THE TITLE SECURED BY A LIGHTNING STRIKE?

Is Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow the fastest fullback rugby league has ever seen? His dazzling hat-trick against premiers Penrith, where he hardly shifted out of first gear, certainly raises the question.

Tabuai-Fidow glided past defender after defender, racking up over 200 metres and three tries, sending the Panthers spiralling to their fifth consecutive defeat.

The game has seen its fair share of speedy fullbacks over the years, including the likes of Brett Mullins and Matt Seers.

However, ‘The Hammer’ seems to surpass them all, and it’s daunting to think just how fast he could be if he truly unleashed his speed.

NEW ROLE FOR DRAGONS’ BIG MAN

Luciano Leilua has appeared to find his niche at the Dragons for 2025—as a potent impact player off the bench.

The big back-rower made a significant contribution to the Dragons’ scrappy 38-16 victory over a struggling Titans team on Friday night in Wollongong.

Both teams were lacklustre until Leilua was introduced into the game, where he proved too much for the Titans to handle, playing a pivotal role in two tries and helping the Dragons secure a comfortable win.